Assembly to debate food stamp trafficking bill

MADSION — A bill that would penalize the trafficking of food stamp benefits in Wisconsin is up for debate in the state Assembly on Tuesday.

Rep. Samantha Kerkman is a Republican from Randall. Her proposal would make it illegal to buy, sell or transfer food stamp benefits for cash and unlawful purposes.

It is already illegal in Wisconsin to make a fraudulent application for food stamps, fail to update income information or transfer benefits to someone who doesn’t qualify. But the law does not address trafficking benefits.

Kerkman says her proposal is to make sure people who really need food stamps have access to them. But opponents say it would unfairly stigmatize those who have done nothing wrong.